Mosquitoes in Newington, Stratford test positive for West Nile

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Feeding mosquito with human blood

Mosquitoes in Newington, Stratford test positive for West Nile

Feeding mosquito with human blood

NEWINGTON–Several mosquitoes recently trapped in Newington by the Department of Public Health have tested positive for West Nile Virus, the town of Newington announced Wednesday. Just a day earlier Stratford announced similar findings.

In all, there have been seven towns in Connecticut that have had mosquitoes test positive for West Nile this year: Bridgeport, Darien, Hartford, Newington Stamford, Stratford and West Hartford. No humans have tested positive for the virus in the state so far this year.

The type of mosquito that carries West Nile is different from the type that carries the Zika Virus.

“This has been a particularly bad season with a larger than normal crop of mosquitoes. With positive WNV-carrying mosquitos, residents should double-down on taking pre-cautions,” said Andrea Boissevain, director of health for Stratford Public Health. “Take quick and easy steps to prevent exposure and bites like wearing long sleeves, especially at dawn and dusk and use insect repellent.”

As always, remember not to leave standing water, such as bird baths or in flower pots and wear bug spray and long pants and sleeves, especially during dawn and dusk.

West Nile Virus can cause people to come down with mild symptoms, including fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting or skin rash. There are other, rare, conditions such as neck stiffness, muscle weakness and disorientation that can occur.